Gillibrand Introduces New Legislation to End Discrimination Against Potential LGBT Adoptive and Foster Parents Based on Their Sexual Orientation & Open More Loving Homes to Children Being Left Behind

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today introduced new legislation to bar any entity that receives federal funds and is involved in adoption or foster care placement from discriminating against parents based on sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status. Though as many as two million LGBT people nationally would adopt if able, many states ban same-sex couples from adopting or fostering children. Nationwide, there are an estimated 402,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, and 23,000 children will "age out" before finding a permanent home. Congress invests more than $8 billion into the child welfare system each year. In New York, there were over 22,000 children in foster care last year, and the state spent more than $400 million on related services.

"We need to support the loving, caring and responsible adults who want to welcome children in need of families into their homes," said Senator Gillibrand. "This bill removes outdated and discriminatory barriers that have kept thousands of children within the welfare system instead connecting them with devoted parents. By passing the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, we will finally provide the protections LGBT people need to adopt and foster children across the country."

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